Whitegoods Help article

Indesit Moon washing machine

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Quick Answer

The Indesit Moon was marketed with the tagline “Future Friendly” but proved to be neither. Independent testing found it performed poorly on the 40-degree wash most people use. Its novel soap dispenser behind the door prevented seeing inside the drum. And a design flaw preventing a 90-degree wash made it uniquely vulnerable to the black mould and grease build-up that eventually attracted a BBC Watchdog investigation.

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Verdict: The Indesit Moon should be avoided

The Indesit Moon was the subject of a BBC Watchdog investigation following widespread complaints about a severe black mould and grease build-up problem. The machine is uniquely unable to perform a 90-degree maintenance boil wash – the standard remedy manufacturers recommend for this type of build-up. If already owned, the mould problem can be managed but not fully resolved without a 90-degree cycle. The model is now discontinued.

The Marketing vs the Reality

The Indesit Moon was launched with a high-production TV advert using a soundtrack by New Order, futuristic visuals of robots integrated into human society, and the tagline “Future Friendly”. It was a memorable and well-made piece of advertising for one of the most budget-positioned brands in the UK washing machine market.

The “future friendly” tagline could reasonably imply an appliance built to last, or one so technically advanced it would not quickly become obsolete. Neither proved to be the case. For a product to be genuinely future-friendly, it must be reliable enough to justify repair when it fails, with spare parts priced at a level that makes repair economical. The Indesit Moon did not meet either criterion.

What Was Different About the Indesit Moon

✅ What worked

  • Extremely simple controls. A single control with just four wash programmes. For buyers who want simplicity over a confusing array of options, this was genuinely appealing
  • Good rinsing performance. Independent testing found the Moon was notably good at rinsing – an unusual finding for a budget machine in a period when rinsing performance had become a widespread problem across the market

❌ What did not work

  • Poor wash performance at 40 degrees. Independent testing found the Moon performed poorly at the 40-degree wash most people use for the majority of their laundry – only adequate for light stains
  • Soap dispenser behind the door removes the window. The novel dispenser placement replaced the standard door glass, eliminating the ability to see inside the drum during a wash. Visibility inside the drum is occasionally useful – for spotting something that should not be there
  • Cannot do a 90-degree wash. The machine’s maximum wash temperature was below 90 degrees – which meant the standard maintenance boil wash that removes grease and mould could not be performed
  • Severe black mould and grease problem. BBC Watchdog investigated the Moon following a high volume of complaints about grease, slime, and black mould build-up inside the machine. The absence of a 90-degree option made this particularly difficult to manage

The BBC Watchdog Investigation

The Watchdog programme featured the Indesit Moon due to the volume of complaints about grease, sludge, and black mould accumulating inside the machine. Black mould inside washing machines is a known issue across many brands – it is caused by washing predominantly at low temperatures, using liquid detergents, and not running regular maintenance washes. Most manufacturers recommend an occasional 60 or 90-degree cycle to clear the build-up.

The Indesit Moon had a specific design problem: it could not reach 90 degrees. This meant the primary remedy manufacturers recommend – and that Indesit itself recommends for other models – could not be applied to this machine. Owners were left managing the problem at 60 degrees, which is less effective.

For any owner of an Indesit Moon experiencing this problem, the guidance is:

  • ✅
    Use powder detergent containing a bleaching agent rather than liquid detergent – liquid detergents contribute to build-up more than powders
  • ✅
    Run a 60-degree maintenance wash regularly with no laundry, using a machine cleaning product or soda crystals in the drum
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    Leave the door ajar after each use to allow the drum to dry out
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    Clean the door seal regularly, particularly in the fold, where mould accumulates

See our full guide on washing machine smells, grease, and black mould and our guide on causes of black mould in washing machines.


Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there black mould in my Indesit Moon washing machine?

The Indesit Moon is particularly susceptible to black mould and grease build-up because it cannot perform a 90-degree maintenance wash – the most effective way to clear this type of build-up. The problem was the subject of a BBC Watchdog investigation. Managing it on a Moon requires regular 60-degree maintenance washes using powder detergent with a bleaching agent, leaving the door ajar after use, and cleaning the door seal regularly. See our full guide on washing machine smells and black mould.

Can the Indesit Moon do a 90-degree wash?

No. This is the core design flaw that caused the widespread black mould complaints. The machine’s maximum wash temperature is below 90 degrees, which means the boil wash that manufacturers recommend for clearing internal build-up cannot be performed on this model. This limitation was not prominently disclosed at point of sale.

Is the Indesit Moon still available?

No. The Indesit Moon is a discontinued model. It is no longer in production or available new. Second-hand examples may occasionally appear but given the well-documented mould problem and the inability to perform a 90-degree maintenance wash, purchase of a used Moon is not recommended.

Last reviewed: April 2026. The Indesit Moon is a discontinued model. This article is retained as a reference for existing owners and for historical context.

Discussion

137 Comments

Grouped into 125 comment threads.

Aisha kebtiya 0 replies I must be the only person happy with this washing machine. I have had it for over 7 years and it's working fine, I do agree the 60 wash takes a long time. I have never really timed it. But I always thought it was a hour long? I will time it next time. My washing machine did get smelly and dirty grime in it. It took apart the liquid drums at the door and cleaned them. I do give it a bleach clean about every 6 months. Ofcourse empty wash. I don't bother taking out guarantee for the washing machines because you usually get 1 to 2 year manufacture guarantee. So if your washing machine is faulty then it will stop by then. If not faulty it will carry on for years like mine. The machine before this I had was for 7 years. And I took a guarantee. Out for 5 years. That was a waste of money. I use my machine once a day.

I must be the only person happy with this washing machine. I have had it for over 7 years and it’s working fine, I do agree the 60 wash takes a long time. I have never really timed it. But I always thought it was a hour long? I will time it next time. My washing machine did get smelly and dirty grime in it. It took apart the liquid drums at the door and cleaned them. I do give it a bleach clean about every 6 months. Ofcourse empty wash. I don’t bother taking out guarantee for the washing machines because you usually get 1 to 2 year manufacture guarantee. So if your washing machine is faulty then it will stop by then. If not faulty it will carry on for years like mine. The machine before this I had was for 7 years. And I took a guarantee. Out for 5 years. That was a waste of money. I use my machine once a day.

karen 0 replies I have had the moon for 5 years, not problem free but took out 5 year insurance, it has just about been re-built over the past year. I did not renew the insurance as they wanted £200 for a year (you can buy a new washer for that). I have a problem with it again. The 40 wash is taking two and a half hours, and the 60 wash I put on this morning took 4 hours.

I have had the moon for 5 years, not problem free but took out 5 year insurance, it has just about been re-built over the past year. I did not renew the insurance as they wanted £200 for a year (you can buy a new washer for that). I have a problem with it again. The 40 wash is taking two and a half hours, and the 60 wash I put on this morning took 4 hours.

john fludgate 0 replies I am sick tothe back teeth of taking washing out of the moon dirtyer then what it went in. its a crap machine, Took the fuse out of the plug in the end and told my husband that it had broke so we could by another machine. machine lasted 9 annoying months in my house, never again to the moon, what a pile of junk if you dont believe me GO AND BUY ONE.....

I am sick tothe back teeth of taking washing out of the moon dirtyer then what it went in. its a crap machine, Took the fuse out of the plug in the end and told my husband that it had broke so we could by another machine. machine lasted 9 annoying months in my house, never again to the moon, what a pile of junk if you dont believe me GO AND BUY ONE…..

EmilyT 1 reply We have an indesit moon or I should did have as it has now exploded. I know that sounds ridiculous but I put it on a 60 degree wash and some time later heard a bang from the garage. The top was in pieces and the concrete block from inside was at the other side of the garage. The contents were mangled around a crumpled drum This machine is 4-5 years old and I'm only glad my husband or children were not about when it blew Any ideas what to do?

We have an indesit moon or I should did have as it has now exploded. I know that sounds ridiculous but I put it on a 60 degree wash and some time later heard a bang from the garage. The top was in pieces and the concrete block from inside was at the other side of the garage. The contents were mangled around a crumpled drum

This machine is 4-5 years old and I’m only glad my husband or children were not about when it blew

Any ideas what to do?

keiran 0 replies hi i hate this machine my mum has one and it dose not spin god sake need a new one fast not this machine though never agian

hi i hate this machine my mum has one and it dose not spin god sake need a new one fast not this machine though never agian

Washerhelp 0 replies That's good news Margaret, thanks for the update. The manufacturer's can easily sort these issues out, and it is very much in their interests to do so. They often don't though, which is when you have to resort to the Sale of Goods Act, which puts the responsibility entirely (and somewhat unfairly) on the retailer.

That’s good news Margaret, thanks for the update. The manufacturer’s can easily sort these issues out, and it is very much in their interests to do so. They often don’t though, which is when you have to resort to the Sale of Goods Act, which puts the responsibility entirely (and somewhat unfairly) on the retailer.

Margaret 0 replies Thanks for the response and link Washerhelp - however I have an interesting update to report - following my rant above I then contacted the Indesit UK service desk and I have to say they have been brilliant. I've found them responsive and diligent and cannot fault their customer service, in fact a great result all round! M

Thanks for the response and link Washerhelp – however I have an interesting update to report – following my rant above I then contacted the Indesit UK service desk and I have to say they have been brilliant. I’ve found them responsive and diligent and cannot fault their customer service, in fact a great result all round!
M

Washerhelp 0 replies Margaret: Sorry I missed your comment until now. The The only people you can pursue a claim against are the people you bought it from claiming it isn't fit for its purpose ( Sale of Goods Act )

Margaret: Sorry I missed your comment until now. The The only people you can pursue a claim against are the people you bought it from claiming it isn’t fit for its purpose ( Sale of Goods Act )

Margaret 0 replies Function compromised by design? Fascinating. Sat down to do a quick google to identify the quickest route to the Indesit Complaints Desk, and here you all are... Grimy smelly machine, perhaps 3/4 years old. The 30 degree cycle just makes things damp and leaves great undissolved puddles of powder, gel or liquid languishing in my clothes. The forty degrees cycle washes adequately; if you run the cycle twice and fill the drum only a third. The 60 degrees wash doesn't cease until you hit the breaker. (I went out for ten hours, came back and it was still churning away, helloooo electricity bill) The door lip and fascia are rusting badly. Big swathes of rust. I've not bothered to pursue it as...well, to be frank I've never bought a washing machine before so I just assumed they were all rubbish. I thought it was industry standard. Pay £300, get ripped off and annoyed, thats life? Hmm.. Single-something female, I use The Moon perhaps three times a week for a light load (I can only wear so many socks - most everything else is dry-cleaned) I bought it because it looked great, was a good price, was energy friendly, and because I don't need a big capacity machine with big jets. However I DO need something that washes my clothes. It doesn't look good because of the rust and grime, it's not a good price because it doesn't do it's advertised job, and it is not energy efficient because I have started to run cycles twice to get my clothes clean. Not much point buying a washing liquid that claims to do a great job at 15 degrees when I have to run everything at 40 degrees for 70 minutes TWICE, just to get that 'just washed' feeling. Would love to know if I have a case and whom I should address it to. In my own business, if someone paid £300 for a service from me and I didn't deliver, I would end up in court. Washing machines are ugly and utilitarian..but in my mother's house, they at least worked. Is this the price I have to pay for being a trendy thirty-something? A great looking machine that compliments my modern kitchen perfectly but utterly fails to do the job it was sold for. What happened to form following function? Is this function compromised by design? M

Function compromised by design?
Fascinating. Sat down to do a quick google to identify the quickest route to the Indesit Complaints Desk, and here you all are…
Grimy smelly machine, perhaps 3/4 years old. The 30 degree cycle just makes things damp and leaves great undissolved puddles of powder, gel or liquid languishing in my clothes. The forty degrees cycle washes adequately; if you run the cycle twice and fill the drum only a third. The 60 degrees wash doesn’t cease until you hit the breaker. (I went out for ten hours, came back and it was still churning away, helloooo electricity bill) The door lip and fascia are rusting badly. Big swathes of rust. I’ve not bothered to pursue it as…well, to be frank I’ve never bought a washing machine before so I just assumed they were all rubbish. I thought it was industry standard. Pay £300, get ripped off and annoyed, thats life? Hmm..

Single-something female, I use The Moon perhaps three times a week for a light load (I can only wear so many socks – most everything else is dry-cleaned) I bought it because it looked great, was a good price, was energy friendly, and because I don’t need a big capacity machine with big jets. However I DO need something that washes my clothes.
It doesn’t look good because of the rust and grime, it’s not a good price because it doesn’t do it’s advertised job, and it is not energy efficient because I have started to run cycles twice to get my clothes clean. Not much point buying a washing liquid that claims to do a great job at 15 degrees when I have to run everything at 40 degrees for 70 minutes TWICE, just to get that ‘just washed’ feeling.

Would love to know if I have a case and whom I should address it to. In my own business, if someone paid £300 for a service from me and I didn’t deliver, I would end up in court. Washing machines are ugly and utilitarian..but in my mother’s house, they at least worked. Is this the price I have to pay for being a trendy thirty-something? A great looking machine that compliments my modern kitchen perfectly but utterly fails to do the job it was sold for. What happened to form following function? Is this function compromised by design? M

mary connolly 0 replies Update on my previous post: Did some research on the internet and got the email address for Indesit's Chief Executive in Italy. Indesit Customer Services called and now doing replacement seal and cleaner free of charge. I said I would try this but if it doesn't resolve the problem will be back on to them.

Update on my previous post: Did some research on the internet and got the email address for Indesit’s Chief Executive in Italy. Indesit Customer Services called and now doing replacement seal and cleaner free of charge. I said I would try this but if it doesn’t resolve the problem will be back on to them.

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